ADRIENNE L. AUSTIN
Nutley,NJ
Summary
Accomplished executive with a track record of success in developing, launching and managing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Clear, collaborative and strategic leader with strong competencies in communications, team-building, strategic planning, policy development, and human capital management. Respected for developing and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve favorable outcomes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director
Jersey City Medical Center | RWJ Barnabas Health
Jersey City, NJ
01.2021 - Current
- Founded and lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council to oversee hospital-wide diversity and health equity goals;
- Create and deliver DEI education for staff, including implicit bias, cultural competence, sexual harassment, LGBTQ+ awareness trainings; host monthly “equity talk” series featuring health officials, medical experts and scholars;
- Created and support 4 employee business resource groups;
- Develop DEI content for intranet, internet, and social media, and produce quarterly DEI newsletter;
- Plan and execute community health events in partnership with elected officials, city agencies, and grassroots organizations;
- Support recruitment of diverse staff and leadership;
- Delivered diversity, equity and inclusion educational program at meetings and conferences, and serve as subject matter expert for array of services and activities.
Deputy Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
New York, NY
09.2019 - 12.2021
- Led agency communications, marketing, press, parent engagement and public relations teams;
- Led public engagement on policy topics related to racially integrating NYC schools;
- Drafted and enacted non-discrimination policy extending civil rights protections to community education council members (Chancellor’s Regulation D-210);
- Adopted DEI best practices in hiring, and served as executive sponsor to business resource group, women in leadership.
- Served as agency spokesperson, appearing on town halls, local news, etc.;
- Developed an online library of over 500 free courses for parents (Parent University);
- Designed health and wellness initiative implemented in 900+ schools;
- Planned and executed the agencies largest and most successful parent election with over 1,700 candidates and over 20,000 voters during a pandemic;
- Supported the development and implementation of the plan to close and re-open NYC schools pre/post COVID-19.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Chief Operating Officer
New York City Department of Education
New York, NY
01.2019 - 09.2019
- Successfully managed annual operating budget of $23 million, periodically analyzing trends and producing detailed reports;
- Responsible for oversight of hiring, including job creation, drafting job descriptions, and onboarding;
- Trained, evaluated and retained high-performing, effective and diverse team embodying organizational culture;
- Responsible for oversight of employee investigations and discipline, including termination;
- Implemented several DEI policies and initiatives, including structured interviewing, diverse hiring panels, mandatory implicit bias training, supplier diversity, etc.;
- Refined organizational structure to consolidate, streamline, and delineate necessary functions;
- Led operational oversight and budgetary supervision for 7 office locations.
Chief of Staff to General Counsel
New York City Department of Education
New York, NY
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Led strategic planning and employee engagement;
- Supported development of materials for legislative hearings, meetings and briefings;
- Provided legal advice, opinions and solutions regarding issues and risks on various transactional and regulatory matters;
- Formulated high-level organizational strategy to collaborate with senior managers on projects and deliver organizational impact;
- Developed continuing legal education (CLE) seminars and programs for staff, including civil rights, sexual harassment, etc.;
- Managed special projects, communications, and high-level investigations;
- Designed and implemented a credited law fellowship course for students at Judith S. Kaye High School;
- Partnered with employee resources group for moms to ensure that all facilities had a proper lactation room, and draft lactation policy;
- Promoted for superior performance.
Senior Field Counsel
New York City Department Of Education
New York, NY
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Advised 5 district superintendents and 150 school principals on legal matters ranging from labor/employment law, special education law, constitutional law and education law;
- Represented the agency in civil rights cases, and small claims cases;
- Served as Records Access Officer for information requests and provided oversight of personnel investigations;
- Provided legal education for school administrators;
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems;
- Promoted for superior performance.
Administrative Trials Unit Attorney
New York City Department Of Education
New York, NY
10.2010 - 01.2015
- Represented the agency in administrative labor hearings;
- Conducted legal research and facts investigation for case litigation;
- Drafted and negotiated settlement agreements;
- Promoted for superior performance.
Program Associate
Vera Institute of Justice
New York, NY
07.2008 - 10.2010
- Provided technical assistance to government partners and criminal justice practitioners developing and implementing sentencing and corrections policy;
- Organized and facilitated strategic planning, subject-focused workgroups and goal setting and prioritization sessions;
- Researched, synthesized and disseminated national best practices to inform state and local partners' criminal justice reform efforts (Published: https://www.vera.org/downloads/publications/Sentencing-policy-trends-v1alt-v4.pdf).
Staff Attorney
Bronx Defenders
NEW YORK, NY
09.2005 - 07.2008
- Directly represented over 1,500 clients in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases;
- Participated in all aspects of criminal defense, from arraignment to disposition including participating in investigations, motions practice, and trials;
- Advocated for clients before court in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.
Education
J.D. -
New York University School of Law
New York, NY05.2005
B.A. - Political Science
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA06.2002
Skills
- Cross Functional Collaboration
- Bargaining Agreements
- Policy Improvement Recommendations
- Recruiting and Interviewing
- Problem-Solving
- Employee Relations Oversight
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Data and Trends Analysis
- Employee Engagement Strategies
- Onboarding, Training and Development
- Relationship Building
- Report Writing
- Community Relationship Building
- Public Relations Strategies
- Messaging and Speechwriting
- Project Management
- Budget Planning and Administration
- Staff Leadership
- Litigation Experience
- Policy Knowledge
- Legal Research and Review
- Labor Relations Coordination
Timeline
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director
Jersey City Medical Center | RWJ Barnabas Health
01.2021 - Current
Deputy Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
09.2019 - 12.2021
Chief Operating Officer
New York City Department of Education
01.2019 - 09.2019
Chief of Staff to General Counsel
New York City Department of Education
01.2016 - 01.2019
Senior Field Counsel
New York City Department Of Education
01.2015 - 01.2016
Administrative Trials Unit Attorney
New York City Department Of Education
10.2010 - 01.2015
Program Associate
Vera Institute of Justice
07.2008 - 10.2010
Staff Attorney
Bronx Defenders
09.2005 - 07.2008
J.D. -
New York University School of Law
B.A. - Political Science
University of California, Los Angeles
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